Abstract:
A key switch structure comprises a first insulating cover having on one surface thereof a first conductive layer and an anisotropically electrical conductive layer printed on the first conductive layer, a second insulating cover having one surface arranged at a side opposite to the anisotropically electrical conductive layer on the first cover member, and a second conductive layer sandwiched between the anisotropically electrical conductive layer and the second insulating cover. At least, one of the first and second insulating covers being flexible. A depression force is selectively introduced from the other surface side of the flexible cover through the anisotropically electrical conductive layer so as to form a conductive path between the first and second conductive layers.
Abstract:
A tactile or snap action membrane keyboard is presented wherein the tactile or snap action key elements are protrusions in a membrane sheet, each protrusion having a flat elliptical top surface or plateau with a plurality of inclined ramps from the base sheet to the plateau.
Abstract:
A capacitive keyswitch comprising a first circuit support, an electrically insulating spacer, a dielectric structure, a second circuit support and an actuating assembly for actuating the keyswitch; the first circuit support is flexible and carries thereupon a first conductive circuit, the first conductive circuit includes a first conductive land; the second circuit support carries thereupon a second conductive circuit, the second conductive circuit including a second conductive land; the spacer has an aperture therethrough; the first conductive land, the second conductive land, and the aperture are substantially in register with the first conductive land and the second conductive land being in facing relation with respect to each other; the dielectric structure is interposed between the first and second conductive lands; the actuating assembly comprises a plunger and a pad; the pad is interposed between the plunger and the first circuit support whereby application of a force urging the plunger toward the first circuit support urges the pad against the first circuit support and, through the pad, urges the first circuit support toward the second circuit support, whereby capacitance between the first conductive land and the second conductive land is varied as the force is varied.
Abstract:
A membrane switch control panel arrangement and a label assembly for labeling same, for providing for in field applied identification of the control panel legend upon assembly of the switch, in which the control panel arrangement is of the keyboard switch type providing for touch sensitive switch actuation, with the control panel arrangement circuit board circuiting, membrane or touch sensitive switch components therefor, and the control panel legend sheet switch location indicia therefor being arranged in superposed modular group form, and columnarily arranged, spaced apart switch actuation and observation sets, which sets are disposed in spaced apart rows and extending crosswise of the panel in a columnar configuration, with the legend sheet being delineated to receive and have adhered thereto individual in field marked labels that are to bear the switch identification indicia of the adjacent switch location indicia row. The label assembly comprises a carrier sheet and an adhesive backed label forming sheet that are both specially segmented to define specially shaped sections cooperation to remain united for application thereto, by using a typewriter or the like, the switch identification indicia involved that becomes known only when the assembly of the switch components and controls has been completed. The individual labels are shaped to be then expeditiously separated from the carrier sheet and centered on the respective legend blank spaces by way of throw-away end tab section arrangement that is part of the label assembly arrangement.
Abstract:
A capacitance-type switch in which an integral capacitance spacer layer element extends over and is severally movable toward and away from separate contact elements of separate switches.
Abstract:
A keyswitch arrangement including an array of switches formed on a flexible dielectric substrate wherein each switch includes a stationary conductive contact lying in the plane of the substrate and an adjacent movable conductive contactor carried on a flap cut out of the substrate and bent along a hinged line located between the contact and the contactor. The stationary contact and movable contactor are both formed on the same side of the substrate and are normally disposed in the open switch position in confronting relationship with the flap at an acute angle to the plane of the substrate.
Abstract:
The subject matter of this invention relates to a membrane switch having a base sheet with a plurality of conductors on one surface of the sheet. A spacer sheet is adhesively secured to the base sheet on the surface having the plurality of conductors. The spacer sheet has a plurality of apertures, which apertures are aligned with selected portions of the conductors. A flexible cover sheet is adhesively secured to the spacer sheet. The flexible cover sheet has a second plurality of flexible conductors on its surface adjacent to the spacer sheet. The flexible conductors have selected portions aligned with respective apertures. Each of the flexible conductors has a thickness no greater than 0.0025 mil. The flexible cover sheet is positionable through a selected aperture with a portion of the flexible conductor to contact electrically the respective conductor on the base sheet aligned with that aperture.
Abstract:
An electronic apparatus principally comprising a display unit, a mechanical contact type keyboard unit and several LSI (large-scale integrated circuit) elements including a computation circuit, a logical control circuit, a storage circuit, a program memory circuit, etc., these units and elements all being incorporated on a single flexible plate of electrical insulating material, such as a film of polyethylene-terephthalate or a polyamide. The metal depositing technology or the etching technology is applied to form a wiring pattern on the flexible plate. The LSI elements are directly mounted on the single flexible plate by utilizing the wireless bonding method, such as for example, a flip chip bond or a beam lead bond, before these elements are packed and sealed. The substratum may be secured in the inside of the apparatus in a serpentine fashion in order to make the best use of the inside space of the apparatus. It is easy to adjust the angle or the position of the display units with respect to the keyboard unit, since the display units are mounted on the flexible plate.